Udhampur- Influence of militancy-Political Scenario-Important places-Economy-Topography

Udhampur 

Topography: Udhampur is the third largest district of J&K and is situated at an altitude of 2,134 ft. above sea level. It is located at a distance of 66 km. from Jammu on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The district is bounded by Rajouri in the west, Jammu in the south-west, Doda in the east and Kathua in the south-east. It also shares boundary with Anantnag in the North. The geographical area of the district is 4,550 Sq. Kms. with 5 Tehsils namely Udhampur, Chenani, Ramnagar, Reasi and Mahore. It has six assembly constituencies namely Gulabgarh, Reasi, Gool Arnas, Udhampur, Chenani and Ramnagar. The literacy rate is 23.50 per cent - male 32.37 per cent and female 13.76 per cent. 

Economy: The principal occupation of the people are agriculture and daily wage labour. There are few industries in the district. While unemployment and inflation have adversely affected the common man, the business community in Udhampur town is quite prosperous and feels secure because of heavy deployment of forces. About 20,000 Kashmiri migrants are living in Udhampur either in rented accommodation or in camps. 

Important places:

1. Microwave Station 

2. Chenani Hydel Project 

3. Railway Project

4. Air Force Station 

5. Vaishno Devi Shrine, Katra 

6. Sudh Mahadev Chenani 

7. Shiv Khosi Temple, Reasi 

8. Pingia Devi Temple, Ram Nagar. 

9. Northern Command Head Quarters 

Political Scenario: The Congress, NC(F) and BJP are the main political parties active in the district. The Janata Dal and the Samajwadi Party also have some influence in the district. The Congress is the most dominant party in the district. The BJP is the main opposition party though it is confined to the towns including Udhampur, Ramnagar, Chenani, Katra and Reasi. The RSS have around 450 Swyam Sewaks in Udhampur and has close relations with the Purva Sainik Seva Parishad. The Shiv Sena, Panther's Party and CPI, though functional have negligible influence in the district. Abdul Gani Malik, Jagjiwan Lal (both JD), Ab. Wahid Shwal (NCF), Lal Shiv Charan, Prithivi Chand (both BJP) and Harshdev Singh (PP) won the 1996 Assembly Elections. Chaman Lal Gupta (BJP) was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1998. 

Influence of militancy: The Hizbul Mujahideen is the most active militant outfit in the district and has extended its influence to many parts of the district, including Gool Gulabgarh and Mahore, Gangeda, Samroli, Latti Duna, Sailon Ka Talab, Dandyal, Badola and Manpa.